AusBonsai

Ok so we know the general technique of creating a Root over Rock style bonsai, but when wrapping the roots to the rock I have seen many suggestions of materials to use: Cling/plastic food wrap; Aluminium foil; Raffia to name a few.

I'm interested to know the positives or negatives of each material from those with experience of them.

Thanks

I used a heavy grade foil and it worked really well. Just make sure you leave the top open a bit so water can get in.

My personal preference is Aluminium foil. I have been using it for around 15 years. By far the best results of any method I have tried.

Here's a quick list of pros and cons for each material.

Cling wrap: (OK for smooth convex rocks with few low points or crevices )
pro- Easy to apply because it sticks to itself. Wide sections so quick to apply. Slightly elastic so wraps tight and pushes roots close to the rock. Impervious to roots so any new roots are forced to grow down the contours of the rock.
con - Does not conform to hollows in the rock so only holds roots close to high points of rock. Breaks down quickly in weather and light. Impervious to water - ensure top is open to allow water to the roots.

Foil:
pro Conforms to contours of the rock. Will hold roots tight against the rock even in crevices. Wide sections - easy and quick to apply. Impervious to roots - any new roots forced to grow down the contours of the rock. Will last at least 1 full year when exposed to weather.
con- Not elastic - needs the pressure of soil outside the wrap to force roots tight against the rock (bury up to top of foil wrap). Impervious to water - ensure top is open to allow water to the roots.

Raffia:
pro - biodegradable - will break down and disappear over time.
con- Narrow strands so takes longer to apply. Allows any new roots to push through and away from the rock. Very difficult to remove when roots have grown through the strands. Breaks down quite quickly.

Nylon stocking/ panty hose (was recommended at one time ):
pro - Wide and easy to use. Elastic - Holds roots against external contours
con - Does not break down - once roots have grown through it will be there for most of your lifetime! Does not hold root in crevices or low spots.

Neil - that is fantastic info, thank you very much.

Try gap filling superglue.

Try gap filling superglue.

A little more info would be helpful Andrew. Presumably for root over rock but what for?, how? and On what?

Thanks Treeman, and thankyou Neil for such a detailed 'wrap up' just the info I was looking for !

shibui wrote:

Try gap filling superglue.

A little more info would be helpful Andrew. Presumably for root over rock but what for?, how? and On what?

Shibui, literally place the tree onto the rock, and then using gap-filling superglue (the stuff that dries in about 4 seconds on contact), to just glue the roots onto the rock. The glue bonds the root directly onto the rock instantly. A few locals here use it on ficus ror plantings and they say it works well. Never tried it myself though. that's all I know.

Cheers,

Andrew

Sounds interesting Andrew, might also help in combination with methods above; keeping the roots in place while wrapping around with foil ...

Thanks Andrew. Something to hold the tree/ roots in place would occasionally be useful. Several times I have found myself wishing for extra hands to hold everything in place while wrapping.

Note the escaped roots in the pics in this thread. viewtopic.php?f=104&t=18278 They will probably have caused inverse taper by now and will certainly cause scarring when they are removed. Wrapping will largely prevent this.

Also with pressure on the outside of the wrapping the roots will start to flatten and spread sideways on the rock.

I've used some raffia first than large cable tie's,fishing line ,glue and elastic bands(finer roots should break bands on growth) finished with black pallet wrap.

My first go will see in 6 months how it works out!

The use of glue,fishing line I have used in Aquariums for some years,the elastic bands also have a 3 month life with water before breaking up.